Classic Yes is the second compilation album by the English progressive rock band Yes, released in December 1981 by Atlantic Records. It was released after the group had disbanded in early 1981, following their 1980 tour in support of their tenth studio album, Drama (1980). The tracks were compiled by bassist Chris Squire and the cover was designed by Roger Dean.
| Classic Yes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Greatest hits album by | ||||
| Released | 11 December 1981[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1970–1977 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 49:38 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Compiler | Chris Squire | |||
| Yes chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [2] |
Upon its release, it charted at No. 142 on the US Billboard 200. Some pressings included a free single of previously unreleased live versions of "Roundabout" and "I've Seen All Good People". The album became a strong seller, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over one million copies.
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Heart of the Sunrise - Fragile (1971)" | Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Bill Bruford | 10:34 |
| 2. | "Wonderous Stories - Going for the One (1977)" | Anderson | 3:45 |
| 3. | "Yours Is No Disgrace - The Yes Album (1971)" | Anderson, Squire, Bruford, Steve Howe, Tony Kaye | 9:41 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4. | "Starship Trooper" - The Yes Album (1971)" | Anderson, Squire, Howe | 9:29 |
| 5. | "Long Distance Runaround - Fragile (1971)" | Anderson | 3:30 |
| 6. | "The Fish - Fragile (1971)" | Squire | 2:36 |
| 7. | "And You and I" - Close to the Edge (1972)" | Anderson, Bruford, Howe, Squire | 10:03 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8. | "Roundabout" | Anderson, Howe | 7:47[A] |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9. | "I've Seen All Good People"" | Anderson, Squire | 7:24[B] |
Personnel
editYes
- Jon Anderson – lead vocals
- Steve Howe – guitars, vocals
- Chris Squire – bass guitar, vocals
- Tony Kaye – keyboards on "Yours Is No Disgrace" and "Starship Trooper"
- Rick Wakeman – keyboards on everything else
- Alan White – drums on "Wonderous Stories", "Roundabout", and "I've Seen All Good People"
- Bill Bruford – drums on everything else
Production
- Chris Squire – album compilation
- Yes – production
- Eddie Offord – production, engineer
Charts
edit| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[3] | 142 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[4] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[5] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ live at Oakland Coliseum, 7 October 1978
- ^ live at Empire Pool, 28 October 1978
- ^ "BPI".
- ^ Connolly, D. (2011). "Classic Yes - Yes". allmusic.com. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
- ^ "Yes Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- ^ "British album certifications – Yes – Classic Yes". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "American album certifications – Yes – Classic Yes". Recording Industry Association of America.